A former special education teacher and head volleyball coach at Danville High School has been given probation after admitting to sexually abusing a student.
Judge Nancy Fahey sentenced 30-year-old Chelsea Robinson to four years of probation and also ordered her to register as a sex offender for the rest of her life after she earlier plead guilty to a Class 2 felony count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
Robinson, who worked at Danville District 118 between the summer of 2013 until her arrest in August 2018, took responsibility at the witness stand during Thursday’s sentencing hearing but repeatedly said the male student forced himself upon her. She said she believes she was taken advantage of, but does not use her actions as an excuse.
Robinson’s mother, Kathy, testified for the defense that her daughter was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor in June 2017 and had been taking medications, which she said caused behavioral and personality changes. She said Chelsea purchased a new house and a car that the family thought was too expensive. After receiving treatment after her arrest, Kathy Robinson said her daughter’s attitude and personality has returned to normal. Miles Clark, the family’s pastor, also testified that Robinson has matured during the time since her arrest and has expressed remorse for her actions.
The victim’s mother, however, told Fahey that Robinson had relationships with other high school students and had been warned about her behavior before by school officials. She said her son’s high school football career was nearly cut short by Robinson’s actions.
The prosecution asked that Robinson be sent to jail, arguing that she had admitted to having sexual relations with two other students (both over the age of 18) and was not fully remorseful since she still claimed the victim took advantage of her. Defense attorney Leon Parker argued for probation since Robinson is considered at low risk to offend after a sex offender evaluation.
Fahey said she sentenced a defendant in another case last year to the same sentence she gave Robinson, saying she wanted to be consistent in the sentences that she renders.
Robinson was also ordered not to have contact with the victim, and pay $2,554 in fines and fees.
